Please help me find an e-ring!

[hr1978]

I am in need of the awesome, collective consciousness of the PS community! I'd love some guidance on finding my dream ring on my fiance's budget.

I am looking for a ring (setting + stone) in the less than $5500. Hopefully, I can manage what I want for that price. I'm not opposed to an estate or preowned ring, if necessary.

I am mostly interested in an Asscher or Round Brilliant with the following specs:
At or close to 1ct. or more
color: H - J
clarity: generally eyeclean?

The only criteria I really wouldn't want to skimp on is the cut. I'd like a very good to ideal cut.

Halo pave setting in Platinum (although I'd be open to other suggestions for a simple setting to add finger coverage, showcase the stone, etc.) I love Tacori and Ritani settings, but of course they are generally out of my price $$$

A few of the things that have caught my eye:

http://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-diamond-ring?&pid=LD01865296&builder=BYOR&forceStep=DIAMONDS_STEP#DIAMONDS_STEP|LD01865296
http://antiqueengagementrings.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=3124
http://www.tacori.com/Engagement-Rings#/HT2299
http://www.newyorkestatejewelry.com/engagement-rings/1.08ct--art-deco-style-platinum-diamond-engagement-ring/4486/3/item
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/ritani-jewelry/rings/02QQ1/
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/previously-owned-jewelry/rings/206PO1/

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

 

[suchende]

Isn't that last link like, exactly perfect?! I don't know how you could do better...

 

[D&T]

I have to agree, I really think the last ring link to pearlmans is perfect!

 

[hr1978]

Item: 206PO1 - A mint condition platinum (950) Ritani endless love collection ring. The ring is set with a 1.0ct+ SI1 G-H very well cut non certified center diamond and has .30ct of micro pave set diamond around the diamond and the band. Size 5 1/2. Julius Klien diamond. Great buy!
Price: $5,500.00

I know! I was floored when I saw it! It's definitely a top contender for a RB. However, I'm a little unsure about the "non certified center diamond" though... Is that something I should be concerned with?

 

[suchende]

Item: 206PO1 - A mint condition platinum (950) Ritani endless love collection ring. The ring is set with a 1.0ct+ SI1 G-H very well cut non certified center diamond and has .30ct of micro pave set diamond around the diamond and the band. Size 5 1/2. Julius Klien diamond. Great buy!
Price: $5,500.00

I know! I was floored when I saw it! It's definitely a top contender for a RB. However, I'm a little unsure about the "non certified center diamond" though... Is that something I should be concerned with?

Maybe I am too trusting, but I would trust Pearlmans with their grading of the stone. Even if it were and SI2 J it would still be a great deal. I'd call and ask at how many inches it's eye-clean though.

 

[D&T]

Call and Talk to Bill or Julian... They are great to work with, I've had a couple of purchases from them. Bill will tell you straight.

 

[Amys Bling]

Item: 206PO1 - A mint condition platinum (950) Ritani endless love collection ring. The ring is set with a 1.0ct+ SI1 G-H very well cut non certified center diamond and has .30ct of micro pave set diamond around the diamond and the band. Size 5 1/2. Julius Klien diamond. Great buy!
Price: $5,500.00

I know! I was floored when I saw it! It's definitely a top contender for a RB. However, I'm a little unsure about the "non certified center diamond" though... Is that something I should be concerned with?

It does sound perfect! Call them to express your interest and also concern re: uncertified stone. It wouldn't cost much to send it to GIA or AGS, it would probably be worth it to you to gave it officially certified and I would also want laser inscription.

 

[suchende]

Item: 206PO1 - A mint condition platinum (950) Ritani endless love collection ring. The ring is set with a 1.0ct+ SI1 G-H very well cut non certified center diamond and has .30ct of micro pave set diamond around the diamond and the band. Size 5 1/2. Julius Klien diamond. Great buy!
Price: $5,500.00

I know! I was floored when I saw it! It's definitely a top contender for a RB. However, I'm a little unsure about the "non certified center diamond" though... Is that something I should be concerned with?

It does sound perfect! Call them to express your interest and also concern re: uncertified stone. It wouldn't cost much to send it to GIA or AGS, it would probably be worth it to you to gave it officially certified and I would also want laser inscription.

I wouldn't want it taken out of the bezel. I would be too worried the setting would be damaged (and it's such a lovely setting)

 

[hr1978]

Do you think a ring like this would be difficult to resize? I may need it to go up to a 6.5 or 7, but I don't know if the diamonds go all around or not or if this would be a problem.

You can tell I'm new to this jewelry stuff.

 

[mrssalvo]

Do you think a ring like this would be difficult to resize? I may need it to go up to a 6.5 or 7, but I don't know if the diamonds go all around or not or if this would be a problem.

You can tell I'm new to this jewelry stuff.

Ritani has done some amazing sizing jobs so it might just be possible. I'd call pearlmans though and ask them and I'm pretty sure they will suggest sending to Ritani if it can indeed be sized. From the picture it does not appear to be full eternity.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re; The ritani: I would not buy a diamond that size with no lab report. It is not only the color/clarity but the cut that matters too, and I would want a proper assessment done.

 

[Dreamer_D]

How about this one? $3900

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...nt-Diamond/17172774_SKcnsx#1301925998_pXSk2G9 Price: http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_jewelry_page_2


Realistically, you will not get a halo setting and a stone over 1ct with your budget unless you luck our on the secondary market.

Which is more important to you? Are you willing to have a temporary setting and get a halo down the road? Are you willing to get a .90ct in halo, knowing it will look *identical* to a 1ct in a halo?

 

[suchende]

How about this one? $3900

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...nt-Diamond/17172774_SKcnsx#1301925998_pXSk2G9 Price: http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_jewelry_page_2


Realistically, you will not get a halo setting and a stone over 1ct with your budget unless you luck our on the secondary market.

Which is more important to you? Are you willing to have a temporary setting and get a halo down the road? Are you willing to get a .90ct in halo, knowing it will look *identical* to a 1ct in a halo?

I know this photo is pretty enlarged, but I would be really concerned with eye-cleanness.

 

[Dreamer_D]

How about this one? $3900

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...nt-Diamond/17172774_SKcnsx#1301925998_pXSk2G9 Price: http://jewelsbyericagrace.com/modern_and_estate_jewelry_page_2


Realistically, you will not get a halo setting and a stone over 1ct with your budget unless you luck our on the secondary market.

Which is more important to you? Are you willing to have a temporary setting and get a halo down the road? Are you willing to get a .90ct in halo, knowing it will look *identical* to a 1ct in a halo?

I know this photo is pretty enlarged, but I would be really concerned with eye-cleanness.

Yes, they say it is eye clean at 12 inches. The ring belongs to a PSer I believe. The OP is going to have to compromise somewhere -- budget, carat, color, or clarity, or setting style -- I would never say cut . I don't think she can get a J or higher SI1 or higher over 1ct in an ornate setting for her budget.

 

[hr1978]

Are you willing to get a .90ct in halo, knowing it will look *identical* to a 1ct in a halo?

Definitely! Would it really "face up" the same in a halo as a 1 ct.?

 

[nfowife]

How about one of these:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1380143.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1384432.asp

in one of these halo settings:
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/ring/item_412-8325.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/pave/-18k-White-Gold-Pave-Set-Diamond-Engagement-Ring.html

The halo will add diameter to make it seem bigger. I think I've seen banner adds with 10% off the setting on JA? You would have to ask in a live chat or via phone.

There's also this:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8427/
and you can see what they can do for you with a setting within your budget.

 

[slg47]

Are you willing to get a .90ct in halo, knowing it will look *identical* to a 1ct in a halo?

Definitely! Would it really "face up" the same in a halo as a 1 ct.?

yes, because the halo adds so much size.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Are you willing to get a .90ct in halo, knowing it will look *identical* to a 1ct in a halo?

Definitely! Would it really "face up" the same in a halo as a 1 ct.?

YES! A halo is a great size equalizer. It will add about 2-4mm in diameter to a stone. Since a .90ct is about 6.3mm and a 1ct is about 6.5mm, that .2mm difference in diameter becomes inconsquenctial when you add the halo. Also, the mount is probably the same one for both stones anyways (same size mount) so the outline of the ring on your finger is identical.

So I suggest dropping to the .90ct range and getting a Beverly K setting in white gold. That will get you what you want.

I love this BK setting, Quality of BK is excellent for the price point, all fabulous reviews on PS and for the vendor linked too:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-designers/beverley-k-jewelry/rings/104PP1/

This one nfo linked is the best candidate, there are not a lot of stones in this size with PS vendors right now!:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8427/

 

[slg47]

Dreamer I think that combo would be over budget? You could ask GOG about their halo settings, if you look in their setting gallery they have a few that look like they could be what you are looking for.

you may have to go down to 0.75-0.85 carat to stay in budget?

 

[hr1978]

I would like to try to stick with platinum for the setting. I also like the low sitting for the diamond on the Ritani, as I am very clumsy.

I am hoping the FH can hurry up and get the Pearlman's Ritani before I change my mind!

 

[Dreamer_D]

It appears to be moot anyways slg With PS discount it might have made the cut or been pretty close.

OP: I would not recommened portioning your budget the way you are planning, where most of your budget goes to a platinum designer pave setting and the little left over buys a 1ct diamond with no lab report, but of course it is your decision. I hope it works out.

 

[hr1978]

Hey I am still open to suggestion! The FH hasn't gotten the ring yet anyway.

I understand I could get a different halo setting and spend more on a better stone. I guess I was over excited about the prospect of having a Ritani in my budget. But I agree, ideally I should get a certified stone.

I wonder if they could certify it for me for a little extra? Do places do that?


I also like this one, which seems pretty close to the Ritani:

http://www.b2cjewels.com/Diamond-Accent-Settings/Prong-Set-Ring-Platinum-4293-1.aspx

and I could get a GIA, Very Good, J, SI1 1.0 ct from them as well + setting = $5164

 

[hr1978]

Happy Update!

As of yesterday, I have my ring! It's a .70 GIA G SI1 Excellent cut Ritani Endless Love in Platinum. The FH and I have been talking to a local jewelry store and I have been checking their prices against online vendors. Yesterday, we looked at this ring and knew it was perfect! It is SI1 clarity, but when I looked at it through the microscope, I couldn't find the feather inclusion(s?) at all! It looked virtually perfect to me.

It sparkles like mad and although it is smaller than I thought I wanted, I don't feel as though I sacrificed anything (well-cut stone, Ritani setting, Platinum) for our price range.

I don't think I could have made a better decision without being a part of PS. Thanks so much for everyone's feedback!